Hemphill Runs As Independent

The Rev. Warren A. Hemphill Sr., associate pastor of the Bunton Institutional Christian Methodist Church, has announced his candidacy for an atlarge seat on the D.C. City Council.

Hemphill said he will be an independent candidate. If his petition qualify his candidacy, he will not run in the Sept. 12 party primary election, but will be listed on the Nov. 7 general election ballot.

Two at-large seats will be filled in the November election by the two highest vote-getters, whether independents or party nominees. To date, the four other candidates who have announced all are Democrats, three of whom will be eliminated in the primary.

Hemphill announced his candidacy at a prayer breakfast Saturday at the church, 1350 Lawrence St. NE, attended by about 100 persons, including several other members of the clergy.

In a written summary of his platform, Hemphill attacked what he called "the excessive cost of automobile tags and the increased cost of water services." He said he would work to reduce red tape faced by citizen in seeking services from the city. He said real estate taxes should be reduced.

Hemphill also said the proposed new personnel bill, pending before a City Council committee, should preserve all rights and retirement benefits that city employes have under the federal civil service system.

A native Washingtonian, Hemphill is working toward a doctorate in social psychology at Howard University. He is employed as a parole officer by the D.C. Corrections Department.

He announced that his campaign manager will be Joseph E. Jefferson and his campaign treasurer will be Beryl W. Cressman.